Consumer Alert: CPSC Warns: It's Time to Check Smoke Alarms

October 06, 2008

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Consumer Alert from CPSC
Consumer Alert: CPSC Warns: It's Time to Check Smoke Alarms
Ninety percent of U.S. households have them, but not all are working

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 30 - Daylight Savings Time has ended, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that consumers check their smoke alarms along with their clocks.

Fire is the second leading cause of unintentional death in the home. Each year, nearly 3,200 people die in residential fires, and more than 390,000 residential fires are serious enough to be reported to fire departments.

About 90 percent of U.S. households have smoke alarms installed, but a CPSC survey found that 20 percent--about 16 million--were not working, usually because the battery was dead or missing.

"Smoke alarms can save lives, but they won't work if they are not maintained," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "They should be tested monthly, and the batteries should be replaced at least once a year or when they make a 'chirping' sound."

Long-life smoke alarms with 10-year batteries have been available to consumers since 1995. These long-life alarms also should be tested monthly.

CPSC recommends consumers place a smoke alarm that meets the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) standard on each level of multi-story homes outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms.


		To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800)638-2772. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.

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